SAMSARA STORE FIRST IN HULL TO GAIN FAIR TRADE ACCREDITATION

Samsara store first in Hull to gain Fair Trade accreditation

Princes Quay’s bespoke handmade craft store, Samsara has become the first in Hull to earn national recognition from The British Association for Fair Trade Shops & Suppliers (BAFTS).

The store, which is run by local entrepreneur Denise Harrison and sells unusual Fair Trade items made on the Indonesian island of Bali, has become one of only 130 across the UK to gain the status.

“We’ve always been a Fair Trade company, so to receive this recognition is really important to us as a business,” Denise explains. “All of our product are handmade from sustainable materials and we apply the Fair Trade principles across everything we do, from the region in Bali we source materials from, to the supply chain we use.

“Many stores claim they offer Fair Trade goods, but we’re the first in Hull to receive official recognition, proving all our efforts are genuine and have been worthwhile.”

The store had to go through a rigorous process to prove their credentials and show that they comply with the 10 principles of Fair Trade, including a written submission, inspection and review by other members of BAFTS.

Princes Quay Centre Manager, John Magee, adds: “This is a huge achievement for Denise and her team; to become one of only 130 businesses across the whole country to receive this recognition is testament to her hard work and dedication.

“Since opening in Princes Quay in April this year, the store is doing really well. They have some fantastic and unusual products on offer for shoppers, with a great Halloween range at the moment, and big plans for their Christmas stock. I wish them all the very best.”

Samsara can be found within Quay 40, which is effectively two shops in one, with both businesses offering shoppers something a little different from the usual high street fare. Denise’s Samsara Craft Store sells bespoke Fair Trade items made on the Indonesian island of Bali while Marion’s business, The Tea Shop, specialises in artisan loose-leaf teas from around the world.

Shoppers can now also browse and buy their products online via www.samsaracraftstore.co.uk or Facebook here